Cooler and work table unit



July 15, 1941; w v. Rbcco COOLER AND WORK TABLE UNIT Filed Oct. 3, '19382 Sheets-Shegtl III-[ ll] V26) 79 cea mvzmon ATTORNEYS WITNESS July 15,1941. y. qcco 2,249,299

COOLERAND WORK TABLE UNIT m Oct. 3, 193a 2 sheets-shears IIIIIII!vllllll ll; .IIIIIIIIIIIIIIA I 11 I hawk W NNA I ,lllilli"llllllf4 Ill"l lv llfllll l l I ll l l l I I I II O INVENT R V ATTORNEYS V 'forlzacc'Patented July 15, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 2,249,299 I COOLERAND WORK TABLE UNIT Victor Rocco, Newburgh, N. Y. 7 Application October3, 1938, Scrial No. 233,076

2 Claims.

My invention relates to beverage dispensing systems, and has among itsobjects and advantages the provision of an improved cooler and worktable unit.

An object of my'invention is to provide a beverage cooling anddispensing system designed to accommodate a plurality of beer barrels,as an example, in which 'a novel circulating system for a cooling mediumis incorporated in the system v I and in which the unit is so designedas to provide a work table situated within reach of the dispensing tapsor faucets.

Another objectis to provide a cooler and dispensing system embodying aplurality of tap tubes for dispensing connection with barrels in whicheach tap tube is enclosed within a fluid cooling circuit and-in whichthe cooling circuits associated with all the tap tubes are operativelyconnected with a single source of supply.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the work table illustrating thebeverage cooling and dispensing system incorporated therein;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view;

Figure 3 is a view of the fluid circulating system associated with oneof the tap tubes;

Figure 4 is a sectional view along the line 4-4 of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, but illustrating a coiled taptube inside the fluid circulating system.

In the embodiment selected to illustrate my invention, I make use of awork table l0 provided with supporting legs l2 and a work surface or top14. Table I 0 is provided with a plurality of vertical bores l6 foraccommodating a similar number of beverage cooling and dispensingcolumns 18. The upper ends of the columns l8 are provided with faucets20, while the lower ends of the columns are tapped into the beer barrels22.

Work table 10 is mounted on the floor 24, while the barrels 22 may belocated on the cellar floor 26. Floor 24 is provided with openings foraccommodating the columns [8. The columns are identical in constructionso that the description of one will apply to all. Referring to Fig. 3,the column [8 illustrated therein includes a central tap tube 26 locatedconcentrically inside a larger diameter tube 28, the latter constitutinga conduit for the circulation of a cooling fluid. Tube 28 is threaded at30 and 32 for connection with caps 34 and 36, respectively. Cap 34includes a threaded shank 38 provided with an opening 48 within whichthe lower end of the tap tube 26' is secured. Cap 36 is provided with athreaded shank 42"provided with an opening 44 within provided with'afitting 48 associated with a valve.

50, which in turn is associated with the tap connections 52 tapped intoone of the barrels 22. Such fittings and tap connections are old andwell known in the art and need not be described in further detail.

To the shank. 42 I threadedly secure the tap arm 54 to which isconnected the faucet 28. Insulation 56 encloses the tube 28, whichinsulation is enclosed within a tube 58. The lower end of the tube 58 isprovided with a closure ring 60 pressed between the shoulder 82 of a nuthead 64 of the tube 48 and the cap 34. Upon the upper end of the tube 581 position a. split collar 66 provided with a closure plate 68 extendingacross the insulation 56. The ends of the split collar 66 are providedwith flanges 10 for the reception of bolts 12 which firmly clamp thecollar on the tube 58. Collar 66 is provided with a circular band 14which removably supports a tray 18 upon which glasses rest in dispensingrelation with the faucet 20.

Near the lower end of the tube 58 I position a nipple 18 which extendsthrough an opening in the tube 28 and is welded to the tube, as at 80. Asimilar nipple 82 has communication with the tube 28 near its upper end.Upon the splash board 84 of the work table HI I mount a header 86.Header 86 includes a horizontal run 88 exe tending substantially thefull length of the splash board 84 and a vertical run 90 which extendsthrough the floor 24 and to a cooler unit 92. Both runs of the headerenclose a return pipe 94 having its lower end extending into the coolerunit 92. According to Fig. 2, the nipple 82 is connected with a flexiblecoupling 96 connected with a nipple 98 extending into the header 86 forconnection with the return pipe 94.

The tube 28 of each column 18 is provided with a similar connection withthe return pipe 94. Beneath the floor 24 I mount a horizontal header I00which encloses a feed pipe I02 extending downwardly through the verticalrun 104 of the header and into the cooling unit 92 for connection with aliquid circulating pump N16. The pump is provided with an externallylocated pulley I88 for connection with a suitable source of power.Cooling unit 92 is provided with a cooling coil Ill! which may beoperatively connected with a mechanical refrigeration system (notshown). In lieu of the coil N0, the cooling unit 02 may be provided withice for cooling the fluid circulated through the cooling circuit.

According to Fig. 2, the nipple I8 is connected with a flexible coupling19 which is connected with a nipple 8| communicating with the pipe I02in the header I00. Each pipe 28 is provided with a similar nipple I8connected in the same manner with the pipe I02. It will thus be seenthat water or other cooling liquid pumped into the pipe I02 will flowinto the tubes 20 and circulate about the tap tubes 26. From the tubes28, the water passes outwardly through the nipples 82, flexibleconnections 96, the nipples 98 and into the tube 94 and then back to thecooling unit 92.

The horizontal run of the header I is bolted to angle irons I I2, whichin turn are bolted to the floor joist H4. Angular braces H6 have theirlower ends bolted to the angle irons I I2 and their upper ends bolted tothe floor 24. Headers 86 and I00 insulate the enclosed pipes associatedtherewith. All nipples and the flexible connections between the pipes 28and the headers may be provided with suitable insulation, which is alsotrue of the pipe 46. The draft arms 54 will, of course, be insulated inthe usual manner.

In Fig. I illustrate a tap tube I I8 corresponding to the tap tube 26,with the exception that the tap tube of Fig. 5 is coiled, as at I20.

Table I0 may be provided with chambers I22 for the reception of ice andwater. Each chamber may be provided with a drainage pipe I 24 connectedwith a drain pipe I26 which may lead to the sewer. Fig. 1 illustrates acheck valve I28 in the pipe I02 for holding the cooling liquid in thesystem while the pump I06 is inactive.

My invention embodies-a work table incorporated in thecooling anddispensing system. Thus work may be doneon the table while remaining inreach of the faucets 20. A large number of columns I8 may be associatedwith one work table, and the columns providemeans whereby a large numberof barrels may be tapped into the cooling and dispensing system. Thusthe barrels 22 may be successively emptied, which eliminates thenecessity for tapping anew barrel each time one barrel is emptied. Fullbarrels maybe The liquid cooling system comprises .a closed .circuit andeliminates the inconvenient necessity of stipplying ice for coolingpurposes. Chambers I22 provide facilities for cracked ice which may beemployed in connection with the preparation of other beverages.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate myinvention, that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adaptthe same for use under various conditions of service.

I claim:

1. The combination of a work table, a splash board extending upwardlyfrom the work table along one side thereof, a plurality of beveragedispensing columns extending vertically through said work table adjacentsaid splash board, a tap connected with the upper end of each dispensingcolumn, said work table having a horizontal Work surface located beneaththe taps and extending laterally of the dispensing columns in alldirections, a cooling liquid circulating system including a horizontalheader mounted on said splash'board, saidbeverage dispensing columnseach having a cooling liquid circulating chamber, and a pipe connectionbetween each of said chambers and the header.

2."The combination of a work table mounted on a floor, a splash boardextending upwardly from the work table along one side thereof, aplurality of beverage dispensing columns extending vertically throughsaid work table adjacent said splash board, a tapconnected with theupper end of each dispensing column, said work table having ahorizontalwork surface located beneath the taps and extending laterallyof the dispensing columns in all directions, an insulated chamberencircling each of said beverage dispensing columns, a cooling liquidcirculating system including a first header mounted on said splash boardand a second header located underneath said floor, a supportanchored tosaid floor for supporting said second header, a pipe connection betweenthe lower end of each of said chambers and said second header, a pipeconnection between the upper end of each of said chambers and said firstheader, and means for circulating cooling liquid through said firstheader, said chambers and said second header.

VICTOR ROCCO.

